Across the UK, roughly six million people are living in fuel poverty, struggling to pay the cost of heating their homes to a safe and comfortable level. Here in Sussex, the crisis is being felt acutely. In Brighton & Hove alone, over 16,000 households are affected, with rising energy costs and poorly insulated homes placing increasing pressure on families and communities. At the same time, the transition to net zero risks leaving people behind if solutions are not designed to be inclusive, locally relevant, and fair.

This project is about changing that.

Building on the success of Preston Park Community Energy, Brighton and Hove’s first champion‑led community energy programme delivered by BHESCo, we are scaling a proven model that puts people at the centre of the energy transition. Preston Park demonstrated how trusted local champions, clear engagement, and fair finance can unlock rooftop solar at scale, supporting households to cut bills, reduce carbon, and take ownership of their energy future.

Now, through our Solar Powered Communities programme, funded by Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme, we aim to replicate and adapt this successful approach to areas where people are suffering from the effects of winter cold in the worst circumstances. While the newly launched Warm Homes Plan directs funding to local authorities and social housing providers, it does not address the private rental sector, leaving a significant gap in support.

This place‑based initiative puts fairness, access, and community benefits at the heart of delivery. The project will support three neighbourhoods across Sussex to explore community‑scale solar power and battery storage, designed specifically to reduce fuel poverty, strengthen local resilience, and build a framework to transition to a low‑carbon future while shifting the benefits to the programme participants.